Aromatic Bagels: An Edible Resonance AnalogyShirley LinDescribes a classroom demonstration involving the use of a bagel and cream cheese as an analogy for benzene that emphasizes the deficiencies of using a single Lewis structure to describe this structure.Lin, Shirley. J. Chem. Educ.2007, 84, 779.

Let Us Give Lewis Acid–Base Theory the Priority It DeservesAlan A. ShafferThe Lewis concept is simple yet powerful in its scope, and can be used to help beginning students understand reaction mechanisms more fully. However, traditional approaches to acid-base reactions at the introductory level ignores Lewis acid-base theory completely, focusing instead on proton transfer described by the Br?nsted-Lowry concept.Shaffer, Alan A. J. Chem. Educ.2006, 83, 1746.

Acids / Bases |

Lewis Acids / Bases |

Lewis Structures |

Mechanisms of Reactions |

Molecular Properties / Structure |

VSEPR Theory |

Covalent Bonding |

Brønsted-Lowry Acids / Bases

The Molecular Model GameStephanie A. MyersStudent teams must draw Lewis structures and build models of various molecules and polyatomic ions; different team members have different responsibilities.Myers, Stephanie A. J. Chem. Educ.2003, 80, 423.

Molecular Properties / Structure |

Covalent Bonding |

Lewis Structures |

VSEPR Theory |

Enrichment / Review Materials

How We Teach Molecular Structure to FreshmenMichael O. HurstExamination of how textbooks discuss various aspects of molecular structure; conclusion that much of general chemistry is taught the way it is for historical and not pedagogical reasons.Hurst, Michael O. J. Chem. Educ.2002, 79, 763.

Lewis Structures in General Chemistry: Agreement between Electron Density Calculations and Lewis StructuresGordon H. PurserThe internuclear electron densities of a series of X-O bonds (where X = P, S, or Cl) are calculated using quantum mechanics and compared to Lewis structures for which the formal charges have been minimized; a direct relationship is found between the internuclear electron density and the bond order predicted from Lewis structures in which formal charges are minimized.Purser, Gordon H. J. Chem. Educ.2001, 78, 981.

Lewis Structures Are Models for Predicting Molecular Structure, Not Electronic StructureGordon H. PurserThis article argues against a close relationship between Lewis dot structures and electron structure obtained from quantum mechanical calculations. Lewis structures are a powerful tool for structure prediction, though they are classical models of bonding and do not predict electronic structure. Purser, Gordon H. J. Chem. Educ.1999, 76, 1013.

Molecular Properties / Structure |

Covalent Bonding |

Computational Chemistry |

Quantum Chemistry |

MO Theory |

Learning Theories |

Lewis Structures |

Molecular Modeling

Simplified Lewis Structure Drawing for Nonscience MajorsBarnabe B. MiburoLewis structures are drawn using a simplified novel method with the following features: 1) the atoms used are brought in carrying all their valence electrons; 2) bonds are created by pairing up valence electrons between the central atoms and peripheric atoms; 3) anions are formed by addition of electrons to single electrons on appropriate atoms, while cations are formed by removal of single electrons.Miburo, Barnabe B. J. Chem. Educ.1998, 75, 317.

Explaining resonance - a colorful approachAbel, Kenton B.; Hemmerlin, William M.An analogy using color to help students understand that a resonance molecule does not shift back and forth between Lewis Structures, but is in fact a hybrid of the two structures.Abel, Kenton B.; Hemmerlin, William M. J. Chem. Educ.1991, 68, 834.